Gossiping Is Not A Kind Look

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. - Aesop

We've all heard this saying before. Indeed, we probably first heard this from our parents in grade school. It is timeless because it's so true. It just takes some of us longer than others to realize it.

In a nutshell, gossiping is bad for your personal brand. You may think you look, "in the know" but it isn't a kind look at all. It isn't a great skill to develop and won't serve you well in business or in life. Think about it, when you hear someone gossip about someone else, don't they go down a peg or two in your eyes? Don't you think, "I wonder what they say about me when I'm not around." Gossiping ruins friendships and relationships.

It's also horrible for your professional reputation. When you gossip you’re branded as unprofessional, unkind and indiscreet and people question your judgement. Colleagues will not want to work with you. Subordinates will not want to work for you. Clients will not want you on their accounts. And bosses will not want you on their team. Trust and integrity are important components of successful work relationships. Gossiping erodes trust and evidences a lack of integrity.

One rarely succeeds alone in business, or in life for that matter. You need other people. So if it isn’t true, nice, or necessary, why are those words crossing your lips in the first place? You’re better than that - we all are!

What to do when you hear someone gossiping about someone else? You can simply respond with, "wow, they've always been nice to me" and then walk away. Show that you don't want to be part of any gossip fest.

Have a marvelous week -